Out of the Black Read Online Free

nodded. “I’ve always thought it was important for all of us to stick together. You know we were worried about you.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Hard times for everyone these days,” he said. “It must be even tougher with a kid to worry about.”
    I stopped walking, stared at him.
    He raised his hands. “We’re just talking.”
    “Then make your point.”
    Jimmy put the cigarette to his lips and inhaled deep. “Shit, this isn’t going the way I hoped. I’d like to start over. Can we do that?”
    I waited.
    “I came down here to pass along a friendly reminder to pay back the loan. You’re coming up on two months, and—”
    “I know how long it’s been.”
    “—things are starting to pile up.”
    I looked at my watch, was standing in the doorways out of started walking again.
    Jimmy kept pace. “I thought you should know that Brian is concerned. And since you’re not returning his calls—”
    “Tell him it’s coming.”
    “He’ll be happy to hear it,” Jimmy said. “I’ll let him know you’ll stop by this week. Sound good to you?”
    “It won’t be this week.”
    Jimmy hesitated. “I feel like I should remind you that the vig doubles next week. After that, we start getting into some serious—”
    “Fuck, Jimmy.” I turned on him fast but he didn’t flinch. “I know what I owe, and I told you it was coming. That’s what you need to tell your brother. If he has a problem with that answer then he can get off his ass and come talk to me himself next time.”
    I turned away, but Jimmy grabbed my arm.
    His grip was strong.
    I looked down at his hand then up at him.
    Jimmy let go, and when he spoke next, his voice was even and calm. “I’m glad you’re aware of the situation, Matt. That makes this a lot easier. Some people I have to explain things to.”
    “Not me.”
    “No, not you,” he said. “But I don’t think you’re seeing the entire picture.”
    I started to say something, but Jimmy held up his hand, stopping me.
    “When you don’t return Brian’s calls, or when you yell at me out here like this for everyone to see, word gets around.” He pointed to the row of walk-ups lining the street. “Most people around here don’t know our history. They don’t know that Brian will tolerate shit from you that he won’t tolerate from them.”
    “Not my problem.”
    Jimmy nodded. “You’re right, it’s not your problem. It’s mine, and it’s Brian’s.” He held up one finger. “But if you don’t settle this account soon, it’ll be a problem for all of us. Do you understand what I’m saying? Because I need you to tell me you understand.”
    “Yeah,” I said. “I understand.”
    Jimmy took another drag off the cigarette then flicked it end over end into the street. “Brian can only do so much. Eventually, the partners are going to start asking questions, and then all of this will be out of his hands.” He paused. “When that happens, I’d hate to be the one to have to come find you.”
    There was a tone to Jimmy’s voice I’d never heard before. It wasn’t threatening, and it wasn’t angry, it was something worse, something almost desperate. If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve thought he was begging. Whatever it was, the words sat cold inside me.
    “Are we done?” I asked.
    Jimmy stared at me, his face even, emotionless. “You never change, Matt, do you?” He leaned in close. “Call him and talk to him. Work something out. He’ll listen.”
    I didn’t say anything.
    “He can’ty took a deep

6
    I made it to the labor office right as the doors were opening. I got in line and was given a spot on a cleanup crew at a new construction site just outside the city. There were eleven of us, and we spent the day clearing a scatter of cement blocks, gathering broken boards, and tearing down two hundred feet of rusted chain-link fencing. By the time we finished, every muscle in my body ached, and my hands were blistered and bloody.
    I made sixty dollars.
    We climbed back